Penarth Civic Society
Chair’s report 2022 – 23
It’s been a very busy year for the Penarth Civic Society. We were delighted to be again able to hold a full programme of well-attended events. Dave Noble has worked extremely hard to arrange these and my thanks must go to him. Thanks to Dan Brown, we have a considerably increased profile on social media, which has broadened the audience at our events. Offering tea and coffee at each meeting probably helps too!
Our subgroups have continued to flourish. Friends of Victoria Square has come to the end of its Heritage Lottery Fund grant. The results are there for all to see. It is an excellent example of community engagement. The first fruit trees have been planted in St Joseph’s Park (otherwise the Zig zag path). We were delighted this year to welcome the Friends of the Arcot Triangle as one of our groups. And, even more recently, a newly reinvigorated group to help look after the Italian Gardens.
Members may recall that we set up the Penarth Tree Forum after the Annual General Meeting in 2016, when members told us that Street Trees in the town were their main concern. The Tree Forum committee have adopted a policy of being a ‘critical friend’ to the Vale Council (as is nearly always the policy of the Civic Society.) We have had a number of successes, most notably with the highways department. But it is extremely concerning that the Vale Council still does not have a Tree Strategy nor a qualified arborist. We are still losing street trees. A count showed that we have lost 52 street trees in the past three years. Plus about 20 in parks and broader verges. We would urge anyone with any concerns about street trees to contact not only us, but also their Vale Councillors.
One development I am extremely pleased about is the planned Heritage Project, led by Dave Noble. When I’m in any town elsewhere in Britain I always look out for Blue Plaques and notice boards telling me about the history of the area. These are notably absent here and this project should fill that gap. There has been a lot of public interest in the project and we hope that we will be able to work with the Vale Council to deliver it.
Also this year we have continued to work with other local third sector organisations for the benefit of the town. This has included GPG Penarth Greening – our tree volunteers look after the GPG community orchard at Cosmeston for example. And we are part of the group thinking about what we can do to help our town centre. Others involved are Penarth Living Streets, GPG and the Penarth Business Group. Working together for the benefit of us all.
I would like to thank the committee for their hard work over this past year and give a huge welcome to those who have just joined us. Unfortunately, the role of Chair has become too much for one person, particularly as there had been neither Secretary nor Vice Chair for several years, and I recently stepped down from that role for that, and health reasons. I am delighted that others have now offered to take on the Secretary and Vice Chair positions, and have therefore agreed to be nominated as Chair for the next year, health permitting.
Anne Evans
| Treasurer’s Report 2022/3 AGM | |
|---|---|
| Bank funds on 31/3/22 | £9,858.50 |
| Income | £11,549.95 |
| Expenditure | £12,865.82 |
| Bank funds on 30/4/23 | £8542.63 |
| Of Which FOVS | £3527.90 |
| FOSt.J | £834.84 |
| Society Funds | £4179.89 |
| Gift Aid to add | |
| Noteable Income | |
| Membership Subs | £1493.54 |
| Event Admissions | £319.24 |
| Donations | £150.00 |
| Project Giant Donations | £1843.00 |
| HLF Grant for FOVS | £3060.00 |
| FOVS Donations/Income | £3815.85 |
| FoSt.J Donations | £804.84 |
| Noteable Costs | |
| Room Hire | £451.00 |
| Insurance | £371.00 |
| Speaker/Event Cost | £661.97 |
| Website | £394.37 |
| Printing and Stationery | £214.85 |
| Giant Redwoods | £1971.00 |
| FOVS Spending | £7149.90 |
Funds at end of 2022 £4292.89 Lost £113.00
Spectrum Singers and Tree Walk
Reported Members 2022 AGM
Single members 63 Couples 34 Hon Members 13 Total Membership 110 144 individuals
Reported Members 2023 AGN Single Members 81 Couples 41 Hon Members 13 Total Membership 135 176 individuals